Anskar

(c. 801–65)

   Saint and Missionary.

   Anskar was born in Picardy, France and was educated at the monastery at Corbie. At the invitation of King Harold, he moved to Denmark where he established a mission school at Hedeby. He was soon expelled by the pagan Danes and was forced to return to the Frankish court. Then, at the request of the Swedish king, he established the Bishopric of Birka and built the first Christian church on Swedish soil. In about 832 he became Archbishop of Hamburg and was elected first Abbot of Bremen. Later he returned to Denmark and succeeded in converting the King of Jutland, Erik. Throughout his life he was tireless in his efforts – preaching, founding schools and dispensing charity. He hoped to die as a martyr, but in this he was disappointed and he is buried at Bremen. After his death both Denmark and Sweden reverted to paganism, but the seed was sown and Christianity was established firmly in Scandinavia in the tenth century.

   G.Waitz (ed), Anskar, the Apostle of the North, translated by C.H. Robinson (1921).